BOSTON — A late-night boat crash in Boston Harbor on May 14, 2026, left one woman dead and three others injured, authorities confirmed.
The crash involved a small twin-engine boat that struck a pier for Logan International Airport just before 11:30 p.m. Elizabeth Dankert, 24, was pronounced dead at Massachusetts General Hospital following the incident. Two other passengers were seriously injured, while the boat's operator, Lawrence Shieh, also sustained injuries.
Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden announced that a grand jury has indicted Shieh on charges including involuntary manslaughter. Authorities reported that Shieh was allegedly driving the boat with a blood alcohol level more than twice the legal limit. Video evidence reportedly showed Shieh engaging with passengers moments before the crash.
Witnesses stated that the boat had taken off from a Freedom Boat Club location without authorization. A spokesperson for the club confirmed that the vessel was operated outside established protocols.
Boston Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and rescued all four individuals under challenging conditions, including darkness and slippery rocks. All were transported to Massachusetts General Hospital.
Shieh is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday. It is unclear whether he has legal representation available to speak on his behalf.
Elizabeth Dankert's family expressed some relief upon learning the details of the incident but emphasized their ongoing grief. Union College and PTC, where she worked, both mourn her loss and praised her as an exceptional young woman.